Английский для смелых. Истории о духах и привидениях

I would have declined the spirit (я бы отказался от спиртного; to decline – отклонять; отказывать/ся/), but he pressed it on me, and I drank it (но он настойчиво предлагал, и я выпил; to press on – навязывать). It went down my throat like liquid flame (алкоголь пробежал по моему горлу как жидкое пламя; to go down – опускаться), and almost took my breath away (и чуть не заставил меня задохнуться; to take away – отбирать, отнимать; breath – дыхание).

‘It is strong (виски крепкое; strong – сильный; крепкий /о напитках/),’ he said; ‘but it will help to keep out the cold (но оно поможет переносить холод; to keep out – удержать снаружи, не дать проникнуть внутрь). And now you have no moments to spare (а теперь вы не должны терять ни минуты: «вы не имеете в избытке ни минуты»; to spare – беречь, жалеть, сберегать; иметь в избытке). Good night (доброй ночи)!’

I thanked him for his hospitality (я поблагодарил его за гостеприимство), and would have shaken hands (и пожал бы ему руку), but that he had turned away before I could finish my sentence (но он отвернулся, прежде чем я смог закончить предложение). In another minute I had traversed the hall (через минуту я пересек зал), Jacob had locked the outer door behind me (Джейкоб запер за мной наружную дверь), and we were out on the wide white moor (и мы оказались снаружи на обширной белой пустоши; wide – широкий; обширный, большой).

 He smiled again, rang the bell, gave the old servant his directions, and, taking a bottle of whisky and a wineglass from the cupboard in which he kept his chemicals, said:

‘The snow lies deep, and it will be difficult walking tonight on the moor. A glass of usquebaugh before you start?’

I would have declined the spirit, but he pressed it on me, and I drank it. It went down my throat like liquid flame, and almost took my breath away.

‘It is strong,’ he said; ‘but it will help to keep out the cold. And now you have no moments to spare. Good night!’

I thanked him for his hospitality, and would have shaken hands, but that he had turned away before I could finish my sentence. In another minute I had traversed the hall, Jacob had locked the outer door behind me, and we were out on the wide white moor.